PETROENG 7062 - Unconventional Resources & Recovery

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course will provide an overview of the key issues and methods relevant to the exploration, assessment and development of unconventional reservoirs. The course will focus on application of geomechanics in CSG, tight gas and shale gas, deliverability and production forecasting; field development planning; and reserve estimation/economics of unconventional reservoirs.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PETROENG 7062
    Course Unconventional Resources & Recovery
    Coordinating Unit Mining and Petroleum Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive short course of lectures and seminars (total of 49 hours)
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge PETROENG 7042 or 7050, PETROENG 7038 or 7059, PETROENG 7058 or 7060
    Course Description This course will provide an overview of the key issues and methods relevant to the exploration, assessment and development of unconventional reservoirs. The course will focus on application of geomechanics in CSG, tight gas and shale gas, deliverability and production forecasting; field development planning; and reserve estimation/economics of unconventional reservoirs.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Manouchehr Haghighi

    Dr Raymond Johnson, Jr.
    Adjunct Associate Professor
    Australian School of Petroleum, University of Adelaide
    ray.johnsonjr@adelaide.edu.au
    Mobile +61 438 005 298
    Phone +61 7 3870 4992
    Fax +61 7 3870 8432
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Understand and describe unique geological characteristics of unconventional resources
    2 Understand, describe and apply principles of geomechanics to unconventional reservoirs including earth stresses, basic rock mechanical properties, fracturing mechanics, well-bore stability and hydraulic fracturing as pertaining to CSG, tight gas and shale gas reservoirs.
    3 Understand and describe key properties of coal seam gas (CSG), tight gas and shale gas reservoirs based on log and general reservoir characteristics
    4 Understand, describe and apply key reservoir engineering concepts to CSG, tight gas and shale gas reservoirs
    5 Understand, describe and apply the proper application of well testing and diagnostic fracture injection testing in reservoir characterisation and stress profiling for unconventional reservoirs
    6 Understand, describe and apply the fundamentals of hydraulic fracturing design, apply principles to resource optimisation
    7 Understand, describe and apply analytical or numerical methods for production forecasting and well stimulation optimisation
    8 Understand, describe and apply principles for determining recoverable and unrecoverable resources for unconventional reservoirs
    9 Understand, describe and apply economic evaluation to resource and reserve estimation for unconventional reservoirs
    10 Understand and describe social impact and technical risk assessments required for developing unconventional reservoirs
    11 Demonstrate the ability to develop a reservoir description, resource assessment, estimated stress profile, well completion design, optimised hydraulic fracture design, and uncertainties and recommendations by successful completion of a case study written assignment on an unconventional resource (e.g., CSG, tigh gas, or shale gas reservoir TBD)

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):  
     
    1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.43.53.6
    C C C C B B C C C C C C
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-11

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,4-9

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    11

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-11

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    10

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    11
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Not Applicable

    Recommended Resources

    Coal-bed Methane: Principles and Practices, Halliburton

    GRI CBM Reservoir Engineering, eds. Jerrald L. Saulsberry, Paul S. Schafer, and Richard A. Schraufnagel, GRI, 1992

    GRI CBM Production Operations, eds. Vicki A. Hollub and Paul S. Schafer, GRI, 1992

    Shale Gas Production Processes, James G. Speight, Elsevier, 2013

    An extensive set of readings and papers will be available as references for the courses varying unconventional reserource types.

    Online Learning

    Lecture materials and PowerPoint slides will be available through MyUni

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be taught as a 7-day intensive format from 0900-1700 on May 18-26 and consist of lectures, short problems and tutorials relating to the course materials.

    A daily quiz from 0900-1000 will be given on May 19-26 which will serve as a formative assessment for the final exam and summative assessment of key learning objectives
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due (week)* Weighting Learning Outcome
    Active participation in online lectures and tutorials Summative TBD 10%
    Completed tutorials during tutorial sessions Summative TBD 30%
    Homework assignments Summative TBD 30%
    Research paper and presentation Summative TBD 30%
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    A hurdle requirement of >49% score on the final exam is required to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Daily Quizzes (10%)
    45 minute quizzes on previous day's materials will be given on 19-26 May. This assessment will count towards 10% of the final grade and the best 4/6 will be counted. There will be no supplementary assignments for these quizzes. These quizzes are to assess key learning objectives and provide students with examples of potential final exam questions.

    Individual Assignment (40% Overall)
    • Part 1 (10%):
    • Provide a geologic/petrophysical/reservoir description based on an assigned unconventional case well including a resource assessement and appropriate uncertainty using Monte Carlo Analysis methods (Excel and Exceladd-in, Simvoi, Crystal Ball, or @Risk)
    • Part 2 (10%):
    • Provide a 1D stress profile based on given log, DFIT data and the poro-elastic stress equations using Excel
    • Prepare a GOHFER hydraulic fracture model
    • Part 3 (10%):
    • Determine an estimated range of production outcomes based on a range of assumptions such as hydraulic fracture parameters, drainage area, and reservoir properties from Assignment 1 using hydraulic fracture model and Fekete Harmony.
    • Part 4 (10%):
    • Summarize findings and make economic recommendations and technical strategies to reduce uncertainty based on the data
    Final exam (50%):
    Composed of multiple choice, short answer, and problem-solving questions. A hurdle requirement of >49% score on the final exam is required to pass the course.
    Submission
    Daily quizzes will be given from 0900-1000 and graded immediately thereafter.  No supplementary assessment is available.

    The written assignment will be submitted in written format with each section assessed on the grading criteria and is to be submitted at ASP (location TBA) by noon on Thursday 8 June and online.  Late submissions will be assessed 20% per day and no supplementary assessment is available.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Communication
    It is important that all students maintain active communication channels throughout the year. The primary communication channels to students in this course are as follows.

    MyUni: Students should regularly check the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

    Email: Each student should regularly check his or her University-provided email account (firstname.lastname@student.adelaide.edu.au) for information from members of the academic staff concerning course work matters and other announcements as they arise. Make sure you clean up your Inbox regularly as if it is full you will not receive our email! We will regard an email message being sent to your student email address or an announcement posted on the MyUni site as our having communicated with each member of the class. Not reading one’s University provided email or MyUni announcements will not be a valid excuse for missing important deadlines etc.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.